Canada's telecommunications regulator has laid out new rules for a national do-not-call list. Under existing rules, consumers have to register separately to be on the "do not call" list of each individual telemarketer but in a few months, Canadians will be able to add their phone or fax numbers to the list at no cost for a period of three years. Some telemarketing calls will be exempt from the new regulations, including calls from registered charities, political parties, opinion polling firms and organizations that already do business with a particular household.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said it is in the process of issuing a request for proposals to select an independent operator of the list. It said the rule changes were triggered by widespread complaints from consumers that telemarketing calls were a nuisance and an invasion of privacy. The CRTC will have the power to impose fines of up to C$15,000 ($14,150) on businesses that contact anyone on the list.